Shirazi thyme (Zataria multiflora) extract can alleviate allergic rhinitis: a randomized clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Atopic diseases are global concerns in the today's industrialized world. Allergic rhinitis is the most common allergic condition affecting 20% of individuals. This disorder is associated with remarkable morbidity and rising healthcare expenditure. AIM: Considering the anti-inflammatory properties of a plant Zataria multiflora (ZM) with the common name of Shirazi thyme, a randomized clinical trial was designed to evaluate the alleviation of the symptoms of allergic rhinitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 30 allergic rhinitis patients were randomly and equally assigned to experimental and control groups. Afterwards, the case group was treated with an extract of ZM and the control group with placebo for 2 months. Finally, the clinical signs and symptoms before and after the treatment according to the SNOT22 questionnaire were analysed. RESULTS: Comparing the symptoms of allergic rhinitis and an average score of SNOT22 questionnaire between the two groups before the intervention provided some difference, which was significantly greater after the treatment. Based on this questionnaire, our patients in the ZM syrup group had lower grades than before the treatment and experienced amelioration. CONCLUSIONS: Regarding the significant effect of the ZM syrup in reducing symptoms of allergic rhinitis, its use is highly recommended. Since allergic rhinitis is a multifactorial condition, the use of herbal antioxidants along with conventional treatment would result in a more effective improvement of the disease.

A significant association between CXCL10 -1447 A > G and IL18 -607 C > A gene polymorphism with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM-TSP), a case-control report from city of Mashhad, Iran.

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is the first isolated retrovirus from humans, and 2-3% of infected individuals suffer from HTLV-1 associated myelopathy tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM-TSP). Previous studies indicated that the risk of HAM-TSP could be correlated with the individuals' genetic alterations. Mashhad is one of the areas infected with HTLV-1 in Iran. This study designed to examine the association between several important gene polymorphisms and HAM-TSP. Genotypes of 232 samples from controls, HTLV-1 carriers, and HAM-TSP patients were examined for FAS-670 (A > G), CXCL10-1447 (A > G), Foxp3-3279 (C > A), IL-18 -137 (C > G), and IL-18 -607 (C > A) gene polymorphisms by different polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques. A non-significant association was observed between FAS-670 A > G, Foxp3-3279 C > A, and IL-18 -137 C > G gene polymorphisms and HAM-TSP. Nevertheless, a significant (P < 0.001) association between CXCL10-1447 A > G and IL-18 -607 C > A gene polymorphisms with HAM-TSP was observed in our study population. As previous studies revealed that the CXCL10 level in the cerebrospinal fluid of HAM-TSP patients was associated with the disease progression, and as we noticed, a direct association was observed between CXCL10-1447 A > G polymorphism and HAM-TSP. These polymorphisms might be recommended as a valuable prediction criterion for the severity of the disease. The contradiction between our findings and other studies regarding IL-18 -607 C > A gene polymorphism might be associated with various factors such as genotypes frequency in diverse races and population heterogeneity in the city of Mashhad.

Investigation of the relationship between atopy and psoriasis.

INTRODUCTION: The relationship between allergic and autoimmune diseases is an important issue, which has recently attracted the researchers' interest. AIM: To determine the relationship between atopy and psoriasis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This case-control study was conducted on 102 patients referred to the Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad, Iran, in 2016. The participants were assigned into two groups: experimental and control groups, including the patients suffering from psoriasis and those with no history of cutaneous or other systemic diseases, respectively. Both groups filled in the ISAAC questionnaire and had skin prick tests. In addition, the serum levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE) and blood eosinophil cell count were measured. The data were analysed using the regression test through SPSS version 16. RESULTS: According to the results of the ISAAC questionnaire, there was a significant difference between the control and experimental groups in terms of asthma (p = 0.04). The mean serum concentrations of IgE and eosinophil cell count were not significantly different between the experimental (153.93 IU/ml and 187.77 cells/µl, respectively) and control groups (152.19 IU/ml and 187.68 cells/µl, respectively) (p = 0.057 and p = 0.886, respectively). In addition, there was an indirect correlation between the eosinophil cell count and psoriasis severity (p = 0.032, r = -0.297). Furthermore, the comparison of the skin prick test results revealed no significant difference between the two groups regarding the number of positive and negative cases (p = 0.436). CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggested that atopy was not common in the patients with psoriasis and supported the concept that atopy protects against such autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis.

Primary immunodeficiency disorders in Iran: update and new insights from the third report of the national registry.

BACKGROUND: Primary immunodeficiency disorders (PID) are a group of heterogeneous disorders mainly characterized by severe and recurrent infections and increased susceptibility to malignancies, lymphoproliferative and autoimmune conditions. National registries of PID disorders provide epidemiological data and increase the awareness of medical personnel as well as health care providers. METHODS: This study presents the demographic data and clinical manifestations of Iranian PID patients who were diagnosed from March 2006 till the March of 2013 and were registered in Iranian PID Registry (IPIDR) after its second report of 2006. RESULTS: A total number of 731 new PID patients (455 male and 276 female) from 14 medical centers were enrolled in the current study. Predominantly antibody deficiencies were the most common subcategory of PID (32.3 %) and were followed by combined immunodeficiencies (22.3 %), congenital defects of phagocyte number, function, or both (17.4 %), well-defined syndromes with immunodeficiency (17.2 %), autoinflammatory disorders (5.2 %), diseases of immune dysregulation (2.6 %), defects in innate immunity (1.6 %), and complement deficiencies (1.4 %). Severe combined immunodeficiency was the most common disorder (21.1 %). Other prevalent disorders were common variable immunodeficiency (14.9 %), hyper IgE syndrome (7.7 %), and selective IgA deficiency (7.5 %). CONCLUSIONS: Registration of Iranian PID patients increased the awareness of medical community of Iran and developed diagnostic and therapeutic techniques across more parts of the country. Further efforts must be taken by increasing the coverage of IPIDR via electronically registration and gradual referral system in order to provide better estimation of PID in Iran and reduce the number of undiagnosed cases.

Investigation of the expression of mediators of neovascularization from mononuclear leukocytes in thromboangiitis obliterans.

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of the cytokines, chemokines and effective molecules of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) that play a role in neovascularization in thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO). Lymphocytes from TAO patients (n = 20) and control subjects (healthy smokers [n = 16] and non-smokers [n = 17]) were evaluated using realtime polymerase chain reaction in order to examine the mRNA expression of CXCL1 and interleukin 8 (IL-8; inducers of collateral development by recruitment of circulating progenitor cells [CPCs]), endothelial cell growth factor A (VEGF-A) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS; inducers of angiogenesis) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR-1; inhibitors of angiogenesis). CXCL1 expression was significantly higher in the TAO patients than control subjects. The expressions of IL-8, VEGFR-1 and IFN-γ were significantly higher in the TAO patients and smokers than in non-smokers. However, no differences in iNOS and VEGF-A expression were noted. In conclusion, PBMCs from TAO patients expressed cytokines that potentially recruit CPCs and promote arteriogenesis. However, TAO patients typically have low CPC levels, perhaps due to high oxidative stress. Further studies are recommended in order to investigate the efficacy of antioxidant therapy on the outcome of TAO before administration of angiogenic factors.

The impact of interferon-alpha treatment on clinical and immunovirological aspects of HTLV-1-associated myelopathy in northeast of Iran.

Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1)-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is a chronic inflammatory myelopathy. The pathophysiology of HAM/TSP is not yet fully understood; therefore, effective therapy remains a challenging issue. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of interferon-alpha (IFN-α) in HAM/TSP patients in the Northeast of Iran. Forty-nine patients with a definite diagnosis of HAM/TSP were enrolled in this clinical trial. For six months, the patients received three million international units of subcutaneous IFN-α-2b per each injection. The dose regimen was daily injection for the first month, three times administration per week for the months 2 and 3, twice weekly injection for the months 4 and 5 and weekly injection for the sixth month. The clinical and laboratory responses were evaluated based on neurologic examinations and immunovirological markers. IFN-α had significant but temporary effect on the motor and urinary functions of the patients. Comparing to the baseline values, proviral load was significantly decreased one month after treatment in responders (495.20±306.87 to 262.69±219.24 p=0.02) and non-responders (624.86±261.90 to 428.28±259.88 p=0.03). Anti-HTLV-1 antibody titers were significantly decreased among responders (1152.1±200.5 to 511.6±98.2 p=0.009) and non-responders (1280.1±368.1 to 537.6±187 p=0.007). Flow cytometry showed no significant changes in CD4, CD8, CD4CD25 and CD16CD56 counts with IFN-α. The positive impact of IFN-α was observed during the treatment period with significant effects on some clinical aspects of HAM/TSP.

Consanguinity in primary immunodeficiency disorders; the report from Iranian Primary Immunodeficiency Registry.

PROBLEM: Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders (PiD) are a heterogeneous group of genetic disorders, with different modes of inheritance. This study was accomplished in order to determine the frequency of consanguineous marriages in the families of patients with PiD. METHOD: In this study, the records 515 Iranian PiD patients were reviewed during a 25-year period. RESULTS: The mean proportion of consanguineous marriages was 65.6% among PiD patients, while the overall rate was 38.6% in the country. The rate of consanguinity was 77.8% in cellular immunodeficiencies, 75.8% in combined immunodeficiencies, 72.5% in defects of phagocytic function, 58.6% in other immunodefiiencies, 54.1% in predominantly antibody deficiencies, and 50% in complement deficiencies. Moreover all patients with immunodeficiency associated with other diseases had consanguineous parents. Such marriages were most common in the parents of patients with Chediak-Higashi syndrome, severe combined immunodeficiencies, primary CD4 deficiency, ataxia-telangiectasia, selective IgG class deficiencies, chronic granulomatous disease, and Schwachman syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to inform the general population about the dangers of consanguinity, which is very common in some areas such as Iran. Premarital examination to avoid genetic diseases could be suggested, especially in a community where the rate of consanguineous marriage is high.

Study of alpha1-antitrypsin phenotypes frequencies in patients with primary antibody deficiency.

Primary antibody deficiencies are the most frequent primary immunodeficiency disorders. Bronchiectasis as a feature of these disorders may be developed due to some factors such alpha-1- antitrypsin deficiency. In order to determine the prevalence of two common alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency alleles (PI*Z and PI*S) in Iranian patients with antibody deficiency, this study was performed. The prevalence of PI*M, PI*S, and PI*Z allele combinations was determined in 40 patients with primary antibody deficiency (with and without bronchiectasis) and compared with 60 healthy control subjects. Phenotyping was performed by isoelectric focusing. The phenotype frequencies among patients were as follow: M in 92.5%, S in 2.5% and Z in 5%. There was not any significant difference in distribution of alleles or phenotypes between patients and control subjects. Moreover, no significant difference was found between patients with and without bronchiectasis. We did not find evidence to support an association between alpha-1-antitrypsin phenotypes and primary antibody deficiencies in a small, controlled study. Larger studies will be required to clarify the relationship between alpha-1-antitrypsin genotype and susceptibility to bronchiectasis in patients with antibody deficiency.